Luyindula double hands PSG grudge League Cup quarter-final

AFP - 13 November 2008 00:15

Paris-Saint-Germain´s forward Peguy Luyindula celebrates after scoring a goal during the French League Cup football match Paris vs. Nancy, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. PSG won 2-0.

PARIS (AFP) - A double by much-travelled French striker Peguy Luyindula saw holders Paris Saint Germain to a 2-0 win over Nancy on Wednesday and a League Cup quarter-final date with the team they beat in last season's final Lens.

Adding further spice to the last eight clash will be the vitriol that was aimed at a section of PSG fans following the final for bringing in highly abusive banners - aimed at Northern French people where Lens is - to the match.

However, PSG coach Paul Le Guen preferred to look at the match which will be in Lens at the highly-charged Felix Bollaert Stadium, which is famous for having a capacity with more people than live in Lens.

"I am very happy to go back to Lens, I have good memories of Bollaert and I always like to play them," said Le Guen.

"It will be a good match in a red hot atmosphere but it will be above all a good football match.

"Time has passed (since the banner incident) and one can only hope for intelligent behaviour and a good match," added the former Rangers and Lyon handler.

On Tuesday seven times French champions Lyon and former French champions Auxerre were major casualties as they lost 3-1 and 2-0 to Second Division sides Metz and Vannes respectively.

Auxerre - who have won just one of their previous seven matches in all competitions - followed fellow First Division side Valenciennes in becoming scalps for Vannes, who were tasting welcome revenge for two previous French Cup defeats - both by Auxerre.

Vannes - unbeaten at home this season - will now face Metz in the quarter-finals.

Metz, who are fourth in the Second Division, took full advantage of a Lyon side that rested several of their stars including defenders Jean-Alain Boumsong and Anthony Reveillere and French internationals Jeremy Toulalan and Karim Benzema.

Metz opened the scoring in the 21st minute through a header by Victor Mendy from a cross by Sebastien Renouard and then the former returned the favour by setting up the latter before half-time.

Lyon reduced the deficit shortly after the break with a header by Brazilian defender Cris from a Kim Kallstrom corner, but it was game over in the 66th minute as Romain Rocchi took advantage of the hesitation of reserve goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre following a poor back pass by Cameroon international Jean II Makoun.

The other First Division outfit to lose to lower league opposition on Tuesday were predictably struggling Sochaux, who went down 1-0 to Second Division Lens, for whom defender Ala Eddine Yahia scored the decisive goal with a header in the 109th minute.